Bay Avenue in Somers Point on Saturday, April 30, was reminiscent of spring time on Bourbon Street in New Orleans or River Street in Savannah with live music and entertainment at every corner. Live bands got the crowds dancing, circus performers thrilled brave participants from the audience and a band of bag pipers strolled the street to keep the festivities going for hours.
Clouds crowded the skies early on Saturday, but that didn’t stop folks from crowding the streets. By Noon the local watering holes like the Anchorage, Tavern by the Bay and Baia were pouring over with enthusiastic bayfesters eager for summertime at the shore.
The event offered a chance to learn about new services to help fun seekers make it home safe this summer. In addition to the work of the Hero Campaign to urge 100,000 individuals to take the hero pledge to help combat drunk driving by visiting http://herocampaign.org/designated-driver-pledge/, Shore Shuttle will also begin serving Ocean City, Somers Point, Margate, Longport, Strathmere and Marmora for nights out to favorite eateries and attractions at the shore starting Memorial Day Weekend. Visit rideshoreshuttle.com to learn more.
In addition to seeing what’s new at the shore this summer, bayfesters got a chance to taste all that is tried and true, including crabcakes, gyros, roast pork sandwiches, fish tacos, kettle corn, funnel cake, pizza, chocolate covered bananas, and so much more.
And for the kids? The Somers Point municipal beach was turned into a carnival for the kids with pony rides, face painting, and a variety of bounce houses and slides. And the fun didn’t stop there. Across the street was a huge array of rides and activities including a rock wall, meltdown jump and duck attraction, the whirly bird, and the Atlantic City Aquarium even pulled in to town with its traveling touch exhibit.
Kids even had a chance to tour an ambulance and get a finger casted by the staff at Shore Medical Center. Adults were able to get important health and wellness checks, including blood pressure and cholesterol screenings and stroke risk assessments emphasizing the importance of prevention.
A mile of vendors and crafters kept shoppers very busy. There was something for everyone in the family….even pets were out and about enjoying the day.
The Somers Point Bayfest Committee and the City of Somers Point seem to have the annual single day festival down to a science. Parking was a breeze and affordable at $5 for all day on-site parking thanks to the Somers Point Rotary Club or free for those who were able to find street parking and didn’t mind a short walk. Many bayfest goers opted to take advantage of a nice walk on what turned out to be a beautiful day, and they were able to do so safely as the Somers Point Police Department directed traffic at busy intersections.
The sun finally broke through the morning clouds shortly after Noon time on Saturday and officially welcomed 2016 Bayfesters to the start of everyone’s favorite season at the Shore.
